With a Little Help from My Friends (Leon Kennedy X Reader)

Chapter 5

As Leon, (f/n), and Ashley cross a bridge, an unexpected call comes in.

H: Leon, I have some bad news.

L: I'd rather not hear it.

H: Well, I'm afraid I have to tell you anyway. We've lost contact with the chopper. Somebody must have shot it down, though. We can't determine who.

L: Great...

H: We're prepping another chopper for you. Meanwhile, I want you to head towards the extraction point.

L: Got it.

As Leon grips his radio in anger, (f/n) can't help but notice a pair of heavy doors open.

(F/N)'s Perspective:

   My heels spin quickly, my gaze landing on the large crowd of villagers as the burning flame of their torches grew uncomfortably. There was no time to think or take action to disband the approaching mob as multiple groups began to surround the area we've trapped ourselves in. Turning to Leon, his face remained stoic as the growing light beamed from his glossy eyes as they searched frantically to take us to safety. My hand latched onto Ashley's wrist, securing her tightly to my side as our clumsy steps begin shaking the creaky, wooden bridge.

"Leon..." Ashley whimpers.

     One last look at his expression, and my stomach starts to grow warm. My hand reaches down to my holster, ready to fight for the chance to ensure we make it out alive. Before I could take a shot, however, a voice pulled me back to a plan; run.

     "We're sandwiched, alright. Quick! In that cabin!"

    I'm pulled out of fight mode to run towards a large wooden structure, the shadowed cabin barely visible in the fire's dim light. The fresh rain activates the scent of the earth, filling the surroundings with the aroma of mud and decaying wood. It quickly transitions from the wet atmosphere to the dry, dusty warmth inside, trading the immense petrichor air to musty moisture that was locked inside the home. I break away from Ashley's side and lean over to catch my breath, both hands grasping my bent knees as short breathes engulf my lungs.

"Leon." A familiar voice says.

     We look over to see the friendly face of Luis once again. He locks onto Leon's stare and tosses a plank of old timber, allowing my partner to block the entrance as the outside grows brightly. I continue to barricade the zone with various bookshelves and stacking chairs, making sure to secure the bottom of the safe house before exploring the second floor. My steps resonate with the loud floorboards, partly drowning out the conversation the gentlemen held downstairs. A quick look around reveals a wardrobe in the corner, some random items that'll help in the fight, and a potted herb.

   I travel back down, entering part of the chat that had clearly offended Ashley in some way.

"How rude! And I don't believe there's any relevance with my figure and my standing. Who are you?"

    I cringe at her pitch and tone. Luis, however, ignores her question and glances at me, causing his smug expression to soften into a friendly one.

     "Mi amor, I'm glad to see you're alive! I see you're more beautiful than the last I saw you," Luis crosses the small room, grabbing my resting hand to steal a quick kiss on its dorsal surface.

     I quirk a brow and smile. Turning away, I see Leon looking at us with a look before turning towards the view out the window, his face dropping to a troubled expression.

    "Now isn't the time, Luis," he sternly replies.

He gives me one last glance before Luis interjects once more.

    "Ehh, another time, then. But there's supposed to be some obvious symptom before you turn into one of them anyway." He muttered.

      Ashley gasped and pointed through the cracks of the windows, saying a quick "look" before I commanded her upstairs to hide. We gathered around the blocked windows with guns drawn as the glow of fire increased. Luis peers at my partner and I, shadow casting his eyes from the hanging light from above.

    "Okay, it's game time!"

A loud clash begins our fight against the never-ending army of Ganados. They flood through all entry available, but we each shot everyone down in mucky success. Leon shot the head of one, exposing the ugly parasite of Las Plagas. Another popped as Luis did the same. In a blurred motion, I grabbed a flash grenade and blinded my allies and enemies but killed both disgusting infected.

A second later, and we're back to constant dodging and shooting.

"Upstairs!"

   The battle dragged on to the point of low supplies. The constant harsh crash of glass breaking and crunching is what allows me to pinpoint where most were getting in from. Leon covered the stairs as Luis helped push ladders and cover the windows. Multiple assailants had given multiple hits, and the wounds and head trauma were starting to wear me down. However, the worst pain came from a man who had lifted me up by the throat, cutting off my oxygen, and made the ground disappear from beneath my feet.

    I begin to flare my legs franticly, kicking off his chest as my hands try to break his grip. Trying to pry him off makes me drop my weapon, and the sound of the heavy handgun hitting the ground echos throughout the small room. I see black spots engulf my vision as the frenzied movements throughout my body began to subdue. Before fully succumbing to the dark, I'm dropped to the hard floor. Air floods my lungs as Luis cradles me gently, his shots ringing in my ears from his close position.

     "There's just no end to them," he yelled over the shouts and screams.

And within a minute, the Ganados cleared out and unknowingly disappeared into the dark night.

     "Why didn't you just say that in the beginning?" I laughed breathlessly.

He smiles and pulls me closer to his chest. I feel my face heat up as I try to move away from the sudden closeness. I don't know this man, yet he saved me and is trying to bring a sense of comfort to my poor condition. He laughs at my attempt to break free and helps me up carefully before dismissing himself from the destroyed cabin.

    I follow his steps through the window, barely able to make out his figure through the rain. I also catch a glimpse of something red, but I can't quite make out what it is...

"(f/n)," Leon grabs my attention.

Leon's Perspective:

I watch as she stares after Luis, a hint of annoyance washing over me. In a quick call, she's back to me with hands locked on hips and a grin across her face, but I'm too distracted by the dark bruising growing around her neck to enjoy the minor victory. Ashley emerges from the closet, and we're back to square one of our plans: get to the rendezvous point and get out of here. 

Once we get out of the house, a large switch can be seen separating two large gates.

"Which gate should we open?" I ask aloud.

(F/N)) stops by my side and stares at the blocked passages on each side.

"Hmm... I got it."
   

She reaches out and turns it to the left side, causing gears to turn. The cogs could be heard as the wooden door lifts, exposing a dark pathway to appear.

"Found this," her hand clutches worn paper, "nailed on the shack. It was this way, or back to the giant we faced earlier. Since Ashley's with us now, we can't be reckless."

I nod in acknowledgment of F/N's discovery and continue down the dark and ominous path, only to be met with the sight of more Ganados lurking behind the doors.

Great, just what we need.